The Nelson Meers Hotels group is preparing to open a brand-new pub in Auburn, as work commences on the heritage building that will be home to the Ambulance Station Hotel.
NMH has operated the leasehold interest of the Village Tavern on Auburn’s Harrow Road since the early 90s.
On 5 May the Village’s lease expires. The lessor has a DA to expand the adjoining shopping centre, so didn’t want to extend the lease, meaning NMH had to find another home for the licence.
A couple of years ago the old Auburn Ambulance Station came up for sale, and determining it was suited to their interests, the Meers bought it.
In recent weeks they have secured Council approval, with construction certificate imminent, and plans are looking good to continue trading – at the new and conveniently local location.
“Fingers crossed, 5th of May is the opening date. The builders tell me that’s all feasible,” reports Simon Meers.
Cumberland Council Local Planning Panel rejected a suggestion to use the station as a community centre and gave the green light to proceed with the $2.9 million project. The heritage-listed landmark sits on a 360sqm site on the Station side of the road, flanked by pedestrian malls.
Ambulance Station Hotel will trade 10am to midnight Monday to Saturday and 10am to 10pm Sunday, offering at street level a gaming bar, amenities, staircase and a new lift. Upstairs will count both indoor and outdoor dining areas, another bar, and the TAB. The design is the work of Team2 Architects.
Meers suggests he will be calling the public bar the Emergency Bar.
“Everyone rolls their eyes, but that’s the extent of my creative input there,” he suggests.
The building is considered significant and earned its heritage listing due to its intact representation of the interwar free classical style of architecture. While it was purpose built as one, it ceased being used as an ambulance station around 1995.
A challenge to the conversion is that the heritage protections extend beyond the customary façade. Meers had wanted to knock out a lot of internal walls, but was denied. Amongst elements to be specifically retained are the Auburn Ambulance Station sign and the Maltese Crosses on the parapet.
NMH sensibly did not overcapitalise on works at the Village Tavern, particularly as the lease drew to an end, but intend to make up for lost time at the Station.
“We’ll make it look really nice; it’s going to have a great bar and a bistro, and new gaming room. It’s in a better spot too – albeit just across the road.
“We’re excited about it. Such an iconic building – it even kind of looks like a pub. I think it will be really cool.”
